A Thought for the Day 010

by Jesse Abel

A Thought for the Day – 010

 

There is no way to improve on TRUTH. I mean… just look at our National footprint today! Our leaders listen and believe the LIE. Therefore; WE his national servants believe in wickedness. Proverbs 29:12

 

Comments and challenges

 

My first duty station in the Navy was a billet in Norfolk, Virginia called the Personnel Accounting Machine Installation or PAMI for short. I reported to this duty in the fall of 1958, my father did not want to let his friends know that his sailor son was on shore duty for his first year of service so he told everyone that I was on the USS PAMI a fighting “man of war”!

 

I have told this story before. One of my dad’s drinking buddies was an ex-sailor and knew Norfolk, Va. very well, he also knew of the building that housed the Personnel Accounting Machine Installation so when I came home on leave and saddled up to the bar where my dad hung out, his friend said quietly to me. “Gee, I spent several months in building 437 and not once did I think it could float”.

 

He and I had a good laugh, but my dad never knew that his lie was compromised. Many years have passed since the days of sitting on bar stools, but every now and then I am reminded of the fruit that is produced from a wasted lifestyle of men and women who spend their health, wealth and welfare, swapping lies and drowning their future; of life, of liberty and of happiness. The result of such a lifestyle cannot be described on paper… it can only be experienced.

 

In the Book of Proverbs there are three men highlighted by Solomon. The wise man, the fool and the slothful (lazy); now on any given day, all of us (male and female) can and do function in those three categories. We are sometimes wise, sometimes foolish and sometimes lazy; whatever we equip our hearts to do is a learned lifestyle, it is not FATE, nor is it the DEVIL even though He does exist, nor is it our FATHER who did or does exist.

 

CHOICE is the personal avenue that each person takes; some will stop being foolish; thus some will chose to be wise and some will chose to be lazy. This in and of itself is not the total of integrity for living. These are only the paths that people of the world take to march faithfully to the graveyard in time. If you don’t want to believe this; this too is your choice but I would remind you to first read the book of Ecclesiastes and if you do not have time to read this, at least read Ecclesiastes 12:9-14.

 

Is there a RUB in this? Yes but maybe it is too personal to continue? Then again; I am not alone in what is being said. There is not one family that is exempt from the counsels of the wise man or the fool and the slothful brother or sister who seems to show up as a fly in the ointment, or as Solomon puts it in Ecclesiastes 10:1. Dead flies!

 

We all contend with family dysfunction and most of us seek to rise above it; some with wise counsel, some with the lighthearted behavior of foolishness, but the ones who are too lazy to feed themselves will only counsel with words that speak of the lazy hand in the of bowl of life provided. Proverbs 19:24. There is a way that seems right to a man or woman but Proverbs14:12 speaks clearly that man’s way always leads to DEATH. And while I am in Proverbs 14 we might as well look and verse 13.

 

God promises us something better and this is HIS promise to overcome the circumstances of the family around us that is full of the voices of life as related above. Families need the True Shepherd of life; His name is JESUS, John 10:1-18. Plainly human life (yours and mine) is stolen; even the wise, the fool and the slothful have nothing to show at the judgment for their works in time, Satan has stolen all of it at the barstools of life.

 

Jesus came to restore life and to restore it more abundantly which cannot be totally understood apart from faith in Him. He alone is the good Shepherd of the sheep; believe in Him. Without Him, God will not consider your works (good or evil) in that day ahead. Among the sheep that God has through the Shepherd who gave His life on this day of celebration we call “Good Friday” are the saved, who were wise, foolish and slothful in the world, but now they are wise, foolish and slothful in Christ. 1 Corinthians 6:9-11

A Thought for the Day - 009

by Jesse Abel

A Thought for the Day - 009

 

Like many, I am comfortable with the instructions that surface from my heart. Yet there remains this one urgency of need. It is the counsel of the LORD that is the rub and in the end; it is His counsel that will deliver me. Proverbs 28:26

 

Comments and challenges

 

Standing outside the store front in 1957 I read the information in the window. “Join the Navy and see the world” of course, there was more to read but those are the words I remember. Through the remainder of the year I thought about seeing the world around me and by February 1958 I made the decision to do just that.

 

From Kentucky to Illinois, from Illinois to Virginia and from Virginia to Rhode Island, then from Rhode Island to the Atlantic Ocean, okay; from the Atlantic to Cuba; then back to the Atlantic and then… discharged. This was not exactly what I envisioned while daydreaming outside that window five years before. The Navy was not concerned about showing me the world, the Navy was only interested in filling a billet. A selfish viewpoint!

 

Could it be that there was little commitment on my part and plenty of opportunity on the Navy’s part? I believe that this parallels the walk of many believers in the LORD Jesus Christ. As we stood outside the “gospel” we were intrigued with the “Death and Resurrection of Jesus Christ”. With His Words we read or heard… “I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in Me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: And whosesoever liveth and believeth in Me shall never die. Believest thou this? John 11:25 KJV

 

So I enlisted in the Navy, therefore I was “justified” to serve a tour of four years, but I did not do much serving (well I did serve a lot of food, but I was not a cook!). I was selfish, just filling a billet and doing and causing as much mischief as one could.

 

I again see a lot of similarity with many saints of God; selfishly serving out mischief (a child of God? Yes! But not a bondservant). I do not remember who came to this country to flee the persecution within Russia at the time, but after a few months in this country the person said that persecution was far better since he could not find a committed or submissive believer to have solid fellowship with.

 

When I returned to the Navy in 1964 I submitted to the authority of the Navy and within the next four years and being committed to a career I went from E-3 to E-6, or from Seaman to First Class. I think what I am seeking to say here is that I went from a civilian in a sailor uniform in the first four years to a “sailor in uniformity” for the next twenty-five. Conforming to the standards of a career in the military is very similar to Romans 12:1-2. The service to God and to His saints is sanctifying and far more rewarding.

A Thought for the Day – 008

 

by Jesse Abel

A Thought for the Day – 008

At rescue missions all across this land you find a common thread of identity. Somewhat like a bird that wanders from its nest, lost in the wilderness of danger. Such is the man or woman who wanders from the safety of home, lost in the wilderness of time. Proverbs 27:8

 

Comments and challenges

The Golden Lampstand

Jesus is: "That was the true Light which gives light to every man coming into the world. He was in the world, and the world was made through Him, and the world did not know Him. He came to His own, and His own did not receive Him. But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God." John 1:9-13 Man is blind apart from Jesus. Man cannot know God apart from Jesus. Man is incapable of perceiving any spiritual light because the darkness has made him blind. The golden lampstand speaks of Jesus as the light of the world.

John 9:5 "As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world."

Isaiah 49:6 Indeed He says, `It is too small a thing that You should be My Servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob, and to restore the preserved ones of Israel; I will also give You as a light to the Gentiles, that You should be My salvation to the ends of the earth.'"

Psalm 27:1 The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?

Psalm 119:105 Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.

Matthew 4:16 The people who sat in darkness have seen a great light, and upon those who sat in the region and shadow of death light has dawned."

John 1:4-5 In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.

John 3:19-21 "And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. "For everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed. "But he who does the truth comes to the light, that his deeds may be clearly seen, that they have been done in God."

John 8:12 Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, "I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life."

Ephesians 5:14 Therefore He says: "Awake, you who sleep, arise from the dead, and Christ will give you light."

1 Peter 2:9 But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;

1 John 1:7 But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.

A Thought for the Day - #007

by Jesse Abel

 

A Thought for the Day – 007

 

Pottery is very nice, if you know how to mold and shape a bowl or pitcher, bake it in the kiln and paint it with lasting value, the object often becomes a family heirloom. The product of deceit works much the same way through a family or even a congregation. The one turns earthenware to good, while the other reveals to a family or congregation a bitter heart of wickedness and evil. Proverbs 26:23-26.

 

Comments and challenges

 

Religion identifies this week as Holy Week, or the week of passion. Friday will be called Good Friday and Sunday of course will be called Easter. Some of you are already thinking; “so what’s wrong with that?” All of this is traditionally and religiously correct and yet when these thoughts are placed against the backdrop of eternity this relative truth has limitations.

 

A friend writes in her devotional this morning: “The billboard (she sees on her way home from work) points to a verse, Matthew 16:16, which is: ** Simon Peter replied, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” ** The word "Christ" means "anointed one" so Peter clearly knew that Jesus was not an ordinary human being. And he was right! My friend had a lot more to say, but she sparked a thought or two for me today. Thanks Kitty!

 

I would not say that the world around us is ignorant of the death, burial and resurrection of the Christ nearly two thousand years ago. It is common and verifiable knowledge. The knowledge that one might find in libraries throughout the world, yet this knowledge does not open the gates of eternity with God to anyone, just the same as the knowledge one might read about to launch a spacecraft into orbit. One needs a bit more wisdom to make real both tasks.

 

Kitty goes on to say in abridged text: “Who is Jesus? (Her answer) “He's my Savior -- he gave his very life to pay for my sins. Thus, I will spend all of eternity in His presence in heaven, something I never, ever, ever could have done on my own, not mattering how "good" I am”. “He's my Lord - above all else in my life. (Boy, how I wish I could live that out every moment!) He's the Prince of Peace and the reason for the peace I have. He is God in the flesh. He never sinned. He fulfilled hundreds of prophecies. He is the Creator.

 

He is my redeemer. He is the light of the world. He is the way, the truth, and the life. He is the Messiah. He is the true vine. He is unchangeable. He is the author of salvation. He is the bright and morning star. He is wonderful. He is the reason for the joy that I have, even amidst sorrows and stresses. And on and on....”

 

She continues her thoughts, “As I drove along further, I reflected that if I had seen that billboard perhaps ten years ago, I might have thought (if I even gave it a second look) "Oh, Jesus was a guy who was born on Christmas and died on Good Friday, and then was resurrected on Easter." And that would have pretty much been about it”.

 

So how does one like Kitty or the Apostle Peter make testimonies proclaiming that “Jesus is the Christ the Son of the Living God? Notice the full context of this passage in Matthew concerning the words of Jesus about the kingdom of God to Peter in Matthew 16:13-16 and the response of Jesus to Peter in Matthew 16:17-20. The facts are true, the same facts that are found in the historical records the world over, the difference between the facts and the TRUTH is in how this truth is revealed to you and me through the foreknowledge of God, whom WE BELIEVE. 1 Peter 1:2-5

 

Flesh and blood (or the historical books or world religions) cannot ever reveal TRUTH, only facts. TRUTH comes by God in the power of the Holy Spirit revealing to every soul that Jesus Christ is the WAY, the TRUTH and the LIFE and no one can enter heaven without this TRUTH resident in their soul when they pass from this life and into the Hands (judgment) of the Living God. John 14:1-6 and Acts 4:12.

A Thought for the Day - 006

by Jesse Abel

A Thought for the Day – 006

 

Proverbs 25:1-5 – King Hezekiah’s men were men of integrity; who understood the fear of the LORD. As a nation we should be praying for our government leaders. That they may find the hidden wisdom of God and begin to remove the dross (I like the word CRUD) from our national and state governments as the thrones of the nation and state need a conversion to Righteousness.

 

Comments and challenges

 

A couple of years ago this opportunity came and went. What I said and did was of no effect. I went to the grocery and as I pulled into the lot to park I went by a young woman holding a baby of less than a year old, the woman I thought was placing groceries into her trunk. After parking I headed for the store and the lady called out to me. “Yes”, I said; “can I help you?” She replied! “Will you buy these groceries for $30.00 cash?” “Hmmm, I studied her face and it told me she was a crack cocaine user.

“I'm sorry ma'am but I do not have $30.00 dollars cash on me. Besides it would bother my conscious to do what you ask.” My brain was spinning for more to say and I knew she was desperate, but I settled on saying nothing else. “I need gasoline more than I need groceries and I have plenty more groceries.” All did not add up and finally I said, “Ma'am, I cannot help you and moved on into the store. By the time I got into the store she had packed the groceries back in her trunk and was leaving the lot.

 

Some would say, you did what I would have done, or say; whatever you did, you did so forget it and move on. Yet there is this reoccurring thought. Ezekiel 18:4. Events like these do not happen when we are ready to handle the moment. I am sure that the apostle Paul had similar thoughts in mind when he explained to similar thoughts to Timothy in 2 Timothy 4:1-5 which for me parallels the Ezekiel passage.

 

Crack cocaine is the now the least of our worries, but drugs are still within the top ten on the HIT parade of National debauchery. How is this for a paradox? It is a crime to kill a dog, but it is not a crime to kill an infant in the womb or partially out of the womb. It is a hate crime to punch out a man who grabs another man’s private parts; but it is legal for the two of them to get married after the spat.

 

It is a crime to use drugs to get high on, but it is legal to induce death with the same type of needle by assisted suicide. It is legal to say Mohammad in schools while it is illegal to say Jesus in the same building. “O America you are failing, O America you are failing, O America you are failing”. Why are you failing America, because you have turned your backside to God.

 

“O America, America, the one who kills its children and sanctifies immorality; Jesus says; “How often I wanted to gather your offspring together, even as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, but you were not willing. See NOW! Your house is left to you desolate.”

A Thought for the Day - 005

by Jesse Abel

A Thought for the Day – 005

 

Everyone seems to have their hand out these days. What seems to rattle my brain is the many organizations that say, give us a donation and our advocacy will repair our national woes. How sad it is that many of us fail and give in to their empty promises, when all we really need to do is engage our heart and mind in prayer. Proverbs 22:17-21

Comments and challenges

 

Here is a poem by someone anonymous. “Two passions beat within my chest, the one is foul, the other blessed. The one I love, the other I hate; the one I feed will dominate.” Whether the writer of this poem had Romans 7:13-25 or Galatians 5:16-18 in mind is not the critical point, what is important is that the person understood the moment by moment outworking of his or her heart.

 

Here is the RUB! Do you understand the capability of your heart? It can and does produce good and evil daily and to our dismay or displeasure the heart may find pleasure to feed on and dismiss the good and miss the intended blessing of producing what is right. A little play on words but I am sure you did not miss the purpose.

 

Here is another way to look at this problem within our heart. Notice too what the apostle John has to say about evil in the heart. John like Paul is writing to “believers” and if you believe in Jesus then it is simple… they are writing to you! Here is what he says.

 

Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him (or her). For all that is in the world –the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life – is not of the Father but is of the world. And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he (or she) who does the will of God abides forever. 1 John 2:15-17

 

Now I have been thinking about what is resident in my soul lately. Last evening there might have been a little lust of the eyes and lust of the flesh going on, but my wife stepped up to the plate and blocked my vision. Now one could say that she saved the moment, but let us not forget about the “pride of life” later within the hour, I bragged to someone about the intended victory and lost the battle.

So again; “I find two passions beating with my chest, one is foul, the other blessed. The one I love, the other I hate and the one I feed will dominate.” Now poems have a unique way of speaking to us, but if we do not rise up to the divine will of Christ Jesus our LORD through the indwelling Holy Spirit; then we are no better than the unbelieving people around us.

 

Instead allow the faith in your soul to dominate and be fruitful. Another apostle puts this in the framework of his epistle in the words found in. 2 Peter 1:2-11

A Thought for the Day - 004

Talking to a rock is like beating one’s head against the wall and yet some of us never learn to be honorable and leave the rock alone. So if a quarrel begins it might just be necessary to take a look in the mirror on the wall to determine just who that fool might be! Proverbs 20:3

Comments and challenges

I am sometimes challenged with thoughts like; “okay Jesse you have a lot of stories of the past when you could see the outworking of God in your life and the life of people around you, but just what do you see going on currently”? So say I to myself, “Jesse that is a good question”!

Today I finally answered my souls longing to read the epistle of Philippians in one sitting, now mind you that this is not the one and only epistle that I long to read in one sitting, but it is the one that is most urgently on my mind. I did read the epistle but at first I could not get past verse one before I fell into a prayer of thanksgiving and encouragement through the Holy Spirit.

I read from the NKJV or the KJV since both are on my desk, but lately I have been carrying a pocket Bible (New Testament, Psalms and Proverbs) which is the NASV. So while I was waiting for some work to be done for my boss, I began reading Philippians from that pocket Bible. Verse 1 – “Paul and Timothy, bondservants of Christ Jesus”

The KJV and the NKJV read, “Paul and Timothy, servants of Jesus Christ” now there is nothing wrong with any of the three versions but what struck me is the word that the NASV uses “bondservant” the Greek word is “doulos” and can be translated servant or bondservant. The point is that our Father uses His Word to touch us and in this case for me it was a touch of blessing.

He sees us as “bondservants” in that we serve Him out of love, love that is revealed through His word, like that of Romans 5:1-8 a love that bonds us to Him through the indwelling Holy Spirit. In Acts 1:1-2 we see the outworking commandments of Jesus Christ to the early church, all the epistles which are written are references of that early church planting. The apostles Peter, James, Paul and John in their writings to us would not have anything to say if it were not for the Holy Spirit who provided the faith, hope and love to move forward.

Speaking with our pastor recently we talked about the universal church of today in that is somewhat removed from the Acts of the Holy Spirit, which is the backup title of second book of Matthew that is called, the Acts of the Apostles. The church today is mostly full of the black smoke of disagreement and the white smoke of religion; both are the deceptive work of human viewpoint and not the Devine Viewpoint of the Holy Spirit.

The true Church of Christ suffers also because many have fallen into the work of master and servant, rather than that of a personal relationship with the Father and outworking of the Holy Spirit through bondservants who serves out of faith, hope and love the theme of the book of Acts

A Thought for the Day #003

by Jesse Abel

Just Thinking

Taxation, as far as one’s history eye can see was never designed to pay down DEBT but rather to keep governments from debt. The Holy Bible provides Truth on all skills for living like; “owe no man anything, but love” If the tax laws of a country are to be fulfilled for its citizens and work as originally designed, compassion for human life must be restored. 1 Corinthians 13:1-8 and Romans 13:1-8

 

Comments and challenges

 

God always supplies our every need. I remember a long time ago when one of my children needed a bottle of milk. He was about a year old and I was being loudly scolded by my wife because we had no money, both of our children were hungry and crying but only one was still on the bottle. The inside of the car sounded like a war zone. Actually we were on our way to borrow money from a relative, we were broke.

 

I was at the point of begging for a half pint of milk from a Howard Johnson restaurant that we were approaching to quite at least one of the little ones down. I pulled into the parking lot and stepped out of the car and right on top of a five dollar bill. I bent over and eagerly picked it up. My wife became giddy; I got enough milk for both children and an order of fries. THE WAR WAS OVER! Five dollars went a long way in those days; we had some change for more fuel.

 

Have you ever been in similar circumstances, now don’t lie to yourself; I can’t hear you. Yes most of us have, it may not be money or children, but no doubt you and your wife or husband have met at opposite sides of the front line. (You know the rolling pin verses the knuckle head).

 

This war only develops because we forget that God meets all of our needs. It is vain to wake up in the morning and bless your friend with a loud voice (now don’t say that your wife or husband is not your friend) if that were truly the case you would never have married him or her. Proverbs 27:14.

 

God has recorded in His Holy Word the rules of peaceful living with one another and the results of engagement (not the courting one). Go with me now and read Proverbs 27:15-16. If you present a peaceful countenance you will be blessed with a good reward; but loud outbursts of anger are always met with a curse.

 

Our Father has already met our needs; from the peaceful garden of Gethsemane to the hill called Golgotha. Did you know? Why yes I am sure you did. The garden was prepared for peace, not war. The Hill call Golgotha was created by God too, who knew that one day He would need that Hill, to die on. The thorn bush He provide as well, and also the tree that produced that Old Rugged Cross.

 

His needs did not stop there on the Hill. There was a tomb prepared; but “Praise God” the tomb could not keep Him. He is risen! He is Risen INDEED! Luke 24:34 He needed to RISE AGAIN, Not only for prophesy, promise or history, but personally for you and me as well. What must you do to be risen like Jesus, believe in Him; that He personally had YOU in mind on that day He was on that cross. John 3:16 are true words spoken by Jesus Himself; believe Him and be risen to new life in Him; be saved from this adulterous generation Matthew 12:39-40.

A Thought for the Day - #002

by Jesse Abel

A Thought for the Day

 

Right and wrong, good and evil, discretion and dishonesty; these attributes are only found in humans. Animals are exempt! The disciplines of the day in which we live have fallen into the abyss of secular evolution, therefore our children and young people of today are wise, but the direction of that wisdom is not laced in the truth, that: “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. Genesis 1:1 and Psalm 19:1-14.

 

Comments and challenges

 

The believer knows that the Bible is the Word of God, even more surely than he or she knows that they are alive. Now why would I make a statement like that if I had no proof? It is an historical fact that Jesus Christ died on a cross on a hill called Golgotha around the year 33AD. History also agrees that His disciples claimed that He rose again and was seen alive by many people and many infallible proofs. 1 Corinthians 15:1-8

 

So we have historical facts, but we also have the testimonies of his disciples and apostles, like that of the apostle John in 1 John 1:1-4 and that of Doctor Luke, another disciple who wrote the Gospel of Luke and the Book of Acts. So yes we have good records of the life of Christ who is the subject of the entire Word of God from Genesis to Revelation.

 

While history and records are good sources to believe, there are two more needed ways to know that the Bible is the Word of God, which are Faith and the Holy Spirit of God. Now I did, did you notice; capitalize the word “faith” so like all saints of God I believe in these additional factors of knowing that the Bible is the Word of God, even more surely that knowing life itself; are the added sources that all people need. That assistance is that of God who provides. 1 Corinthians 2:1-16

 

It is simple really! If I am an unbeliever I have no source of reference to have faith in God, not even the Bible simply because I do not read it. If I go to church I am not expressing faith in God, but I am demonstrating a belief in some form of religion or practice that may or may not have anything to do with the God of the Bible.

 

Now we all demonstrate faith and we all demonstrate a human spirit, but these human attributes are not sufficient for the Holy Bible, if we only use historical facts and human effort to seek and understand God and the Bible, then God will just be a word and the bible will just be the bible.

But when we come to know that the Bible is Holy and surely the Word of God and is more believable than life itself, we will express this Truth as it is; Holy and True. The Holy Bible of the Holy God who provides Holy Faith, through the Holy Spirit who dwells in all of God’s Holy Saints.

A Thought for the Day - A Devotional #001

by Jesse Abel

A Thought for the Day – 001

 

Giving more thought to the thought that I thought this past week, I think that it is well past the day when change is needed if I am to continue sending out a daily expression or challenge from the Living Word of God. It seems that for whatever reason I have drifted away from circumstance and humor for a more intense look at the Word of God.

So with that said, let us see what sort of thing develops from this fresh start?

 

In a dim light a person cannot distinguish color. Give it a try sometime! Color only appears in brighter light. This is because of cones at the back of the eye, which see color in bright light. So giving this some thought this morning I was reminded of the apostle Paul who stated in 1 Corinthians 13:12 that we see the love of God through a dark glass or a mirror, depending on the version you read from and this thought encouraged me as I hope it will you.

 

Our world is riddled with the blight of evil, darkened so that very little light shines through, even when we are saved and begin to understand that God loves us, we are still surrounded by undistinguished color. The apostle goes on to say that the gifts that will clear away the darkness of evil are the gifts of God that provide good LIGHT. Faith, hope and love and love being the brightest; such thoughts overwhelm my soul with joy. I hope this as well for you.

The Devotional - A Look at the Book #916

by Jesse Abel

 

Thoughts from Papa “J”

 

Sometimes our words are like daggers to others, rather than the scalpel we intended. Removing dross from the heart of the wicked requires words that are pure and pleasant. Proverbs 15:24-26

 

Good Morning

 

When I am in a hurry, these devotionals are not a good read and for some a turn-off. I have sought the LORD in this and am convinced by Him that if I do not have the time then I should wait until I do. You may be saying, “well Jesse; that is just common sense, what does the LORD have to do with it?” True, however I lack common sense in this since I have become much like the mule after a little grain and molasses (Wow! That almost sounds like a good breakfast) and the LORD has to use His rod and staff.

 

Thus, I have decided with prayer and thought that if I cannot find the time in the evening and have no time in the morning as I need then I will send out a one paragraph thought for the day and return to the devotional on a better day. I do not like the thought of this, but oddly enough I feel relieved now to have shared it with you all.

 

1 Peter 1:13 – one of the thoughts that increasingly finds its way to my mind, almost daily is the thought of living moment by moment before God the Father. The pastor and I were discussing last Sunday the omnipresence of God. There is not one place on this earth where God is not present. And like many submarine sailors we know the presence of God one thousand feet below the surface of the ocean Even the astronauts who sail over our planet know the presence of God.

 

Currently mankind is in need of God, we have become complacent and ignorant of His ever presence with us. As a result we have replaced His love for us with our love for religion and idolatry. I know, it is hard to understand the love of God, as I reflected on over thirty years of my life yesterday and the thoughts of God and His love, I was reminded that it has taken that long to be where I am now, but where I am now is not exactly where I should be.

 

I am still girding up (tightening up) the belt around the mid-section of my mind, I am still seeking to be spiritually sober and to rest fully upon the hope and grace to be revealed, or brought to me at the revelation (full revealing) of Jesus Christ. Now this is not just to me (who am I). This hope or confidence that I have, this vigilant spiritual search or journey is for everyone who has that real experience of knowing the love of God; John 3:16.

 

I am still seeking to be more obedient today then I was yesterday, still laying aside those former lusts, done in ignorance. Now just think about this, am I alone in this struggle of being obedient, oh praise God I am not. Because if we say that we are obedient and that those former things of the past are gone, then we are become blind and disobedient and we have no doubt returned to our old ways. And just think if it were possible to be sinless as some have suggested, then why should the apostles Peter, John and Paul use up most of the New Testament to exhort us BELIEVERS in the ever presence of God and in these matters of purity?

 

Or much better explained here by the apostle Peter. “But as He who called you is holy; you also be holy in ALL your conduct, because it is written. ”Be holy, for I am holy.”” Leviticus 19:2 and Leviticus 20:2.

 

1 Peter 1:17 – All of our training in the Living Word of God is for naught, if we do not practice what God commands. We will pick this up tomorrow.

The Devotional - A Look at the Book #915

 

by Jesse Abel

 

Thoughts from Papa “J”

 

Perversion and here is that word again despise, only this time we add the “s”. Perversion is an ongoing action in the heart of many religious icons. Perversion is found in all religion and is always covered up with pomp and circumstance, even a smoke screen; darkness loves itself. However the one who walks in righteousness, this is the one who fears the LORD. Proverbs 14:2

 

Good Morning

 

As we move through these verses in 1 Peter I am reminded of my early days as a believer in Jesus Christ. When I first understood the gospel I was in awe. How could God love me, I thought? So I began searching out the Word of God. Where I was staying (living) was an old barn. On the fourth floor of the barn was and still is a class room. In those days over thirty years ago, sailors like me who lived in the barn used the class room for study and writing letters.

 

Also in those days the barn was a chapel, a living quarters (a large bunk room) and a dining facility for sailors who lived off base but wanted to be close to the LORD. Some had grown up with godly parents, some had recently accepted Jesus Christ as their Savior and LORD and some did not know the LORD but wanted see if Christianity was true. Also there were sailors who had families in the area and they too came to this very joyful barn. They cooked meals for the sailors and we had a lot in common, entertainment was playing volley ball, soft ball and other outside or inside activities as well; as well as Bible studies and hymn sings.

 

There is much to say about the barn that is now a church, yet I am not at liberty to give much more history. Someday the story will be told and it is a true story of how God moved a young couple to settle in Connecticut to begin an Outreach to service men and women, to raise a family and be a witness to the surrounding community of God’s Grace in action.

 

Now why did I say all of this? 1 Peter 1:6-12 – years have come and gone and so have many who labored, wept, suffered and died, who are now with their LORD. The study room is now a Sunday school room and the Bible searching sailor or two is missing. But in those early days, my search for the answer of; “how could God love me” was answered and explained in the simple words of a hymn. “While He was on the cross, I was on His mind” I just cannot get over that thought! It brings tears of joy to my mind every time I consider this. That even when I was dead in trespasses and sin, Christ died for me. Romans 5:8

 

I found as I searched the scripture in that room; that, it is not about me, but that it is all about my LORD and my God who provides faith to everyone who will come to know Him through His first step of love to us. 1 John 4:7-11. I love God because His love pursued me; found me and rescued me.

Yes I have been bragging on the church where my wife and I fellowship. We are not a perfect church, but we have a perfect Savior and He testified before hand the sufferings and the glory to follow and we have the Holy Spirit who always sends up a sweet aroma of life. And we have His Word.; Matthew 5:17-18, Matthew 16:13-19 and 2 Corinthians 2:12-17.

The Devotional - A Look at the Book #914

by Jesse Abel

Thoughts from Papa “J”

 

The rod has always been an array of correction. Psalm 23:4 instructs that God’s rod of discipline is comfort. In Proverbs 13:24 we learn that the lack of parental discipline is not a gesture of love, but an exercise of hate. Could it be that our national future suffers from a lack of parental love and discipline?

 

Good Morning

 

We spent the entire morning yesterday looking just at verse three and still we could have spent the whole day. What is so amazing to me is how the written and Living Word of God is so packed with truth that when someone unzips a verse we find that it is much like a vault where riches of wisdom and understanding dwell. The exercise of the study of scripture is the most exciting experience that I know of.

 

1 Peter 1:4 – the apostle continues his discourse of a heavenly inheritance which is only found in the Person of God the Son and through His physical resurrection from the dead. If you believe in Jesus Christ, then you too will be raised up from the grave. This is not a power that you have within your spiritual makeup, but it is an inheritance that is imperishable. Our resurrection is reserved in heaven for us and it is empowered by God Himself, even the faith of Jesus relied on His Father’s Will for resurrection, 1 Corinthians 6:14. Now why is that?

 

1 Peter 1:5 – is the answer. Imagine that if God had not given us faith in Himself for future salvation. We would be like the rest of the world without a living hope. I do not know if you understand the significance of this or not? A living hope is faith in action as if we were to say to someone, if asked. “I have an inheritance of being resurrected with Christ in heaven, this inheritance is kept and protected by God and therefore I have faith. You see this takes away a self-directed faith and replaces it with faith in God who is absolute Veracity.

 

A salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time. Our Father does not reveal anything before it is time. I find that in my personal walk that the timing of God is a wonderful blessing. Sort of like a person’s salvation at a late age. One might think; “look at all those years spent in vanity and pride” and now that he or she is old, what could they expect? How about this: An eternity of salvation, based on the God who gives an inheritance that is reserved in heaven for them and ready to be revealed to them at the sound of the trumpet.

 

People who expect to have more fail to realize that what we have on earth is small potatoes compared to an eternal inheritance guarded and reserved by God in heaven for us who believe. Ever peel a small potato? You need lots of small potatoes to make a dinner. God’s potatoes will provide a very large banquet. Revelation 19:9.

The Devotional - A Look at the Book #913

by Jesse Abel

Thoughts from Papa “J”

There are some words that are hard to digest into one’s thinking. Like “deceit” or “devise”. Yet there are counselors who have peace and promote peace, these are those whose heart express “joy”. I would rather be around one joyful person then be surrounded by friends who devise evil Proverbs 12:20

Good Morning

1 Peter 1:3 – In our secular world we do not hear the word “blessed” that the apostle Peter uses only once in either of his epistles. Many years have gone by since I heard a definition of this particular word from our pastor/teacher, but like much of what he had to say I am reminded pleasantly of how his instruction has remained in my walk with the LORD.

Blessed or “Adorable” is the God and Father of our LORD Jesus Christ. Have you thought much about God being adorable, or are you like many in the world around us who have misconceptions of God? There are many earthbound stumbling blocks that dim the proper vision that we need to have if we are going to view the Creator as “adorable”.

We learn “presupposed” ideals about God from our parents, schooling, community and our country and if you are raised as many of us are in secular surroundings, you will not hear from any of the above that God is adorable. Most parents today do not know the word adorable, except when staring into the nursery at the hospital at their daughter’s or daughter’s-in-law new born baby. Apart from this that word would soon wash out of our vocabulary.

But in this same way the apostle Peter uses this word to help you and me recognize who God is; who according to His abundant mercy has begotten (birthed) us again to a living hope. Can you get your mind wrapped around that thought? It is not God who caused us to be “dead in trespasses and sin” this is our condition from that “adorable birth” Note: Ephesians 2:1 – And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins. Some will say, “I am not dead I am alive” so how could this be right?

Your question is no different than that of a man by the name of Nicodemus, John 3:4. Jesus in His discourse with Nicodemus says basically that Nicodemus qualifies for physical life like all of us do. John 3:6 – “That which is born of the flesh is flesh”, but He does not stop with these words, Jesus goes on to say, “and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.”

The destiny of the flesh is the “grave” the destiny of the spirit is to return to the place of origin. If you do not have that spirit in you, your destiny is to the grave. Okay, some are saying “hogwash” I know I have a human spirit; okay let’s say I agree with you? What sort of content is residing there? Is it “My God is adorable, or my God doesn’t exist, or even still, my God is full of religious wrath”? Questions that all of us need to face and answer!

Back to 1 Peter 1:3 – according to the adorable mercy of God, He has made a way for all who will trust Him to be reborn to a living hope. What is living hope? This is a Spiritual attribute that is not available to anyone who is alive in the flesh. These folks (if you are one of them) have no hope in eternal things. Human religion proves this point securely. All of man-made religion and there are hundreds search for ways to please God and God is not pleased with anything that religion can do to gain His favor.

Well you could be saying; “why is that?” good glad to hear that your thinking cap is on! Notice if you have not already the latter part of 1 Peter 1:3 – “through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead” Jesus the God/man lived in the flesh as we do; yet without sin. His sinless flesh would one day die for the sins that all of us have or will commit. He died as our “adorable God” the “Lamb sacrifice” for the sin of the world. God is only pleased with His Death; not yours or mine. WHY?

But praise to our adorable God who did not stay in the grave, but rose again and if you believe in Him you too will experience a living hope through His adorable and abundant mercy, being made alive with Him in His very real resurrection. 1 Timothy – 3:16. It is far better to be raised up in the likeness of Christ, Philippians 2:5-11, then to be forced out of that grave where your flesh is abiding with no hope at the Great White Throne judgment In the days ahead. Revelation 20:1-15

The Devotional - A Look at the Book #912

by Jesse Abel

 

Thoughts from Papa “J”

 

Righteousness is what I long for; this is a hymn that many in contemporary churches sing on Sundays. It is a nice sounding song and very easy to sing; however I believe it misses the intended mark. Christ is our Righteousness, we need not long for Him or His Holiness. If one puts on Christ they are at that moment Righteous. However; Holiness is a command; Be ye holy for I am holy. Romans 13:14; 1 Peter 1:16 KJV and Proverbs 11:1-11

 

Good Morning

 

When I enlisted in the U.S. Navy in February 1958 I was eighteen years old and I am sure that my outlook was very much the same as many even today. “This is a temporary event in my life, one that will go away in four years”. That was true temporarily; four years later I was out and looking for employment. This was a difficult time in that in one year I had thirteen jobs and twelve of them in the last two months of that year of 1963. So I did the only thing I knew and went back into the Navy.

 

What was to be a temporary time in my sojourn through life became a career and I am reminded of Proverbs 16:9; I believe that in our world today there is little thought of this simple truth in the hearts of people. Far too many people hold the doctrines that promote the “I did it my way” sojourn through life; and why not? A young person today has liberal eyes. They are unlearned in family traditions, but they are prepared and already understand through the crumbling philosophies of the world around them that the only hope or option is to do one’s own thing and do it well.

 

Barriers to the gospel of Jesus Christ are many; but I believe these can be categorized into two major categories: Religion and Evolution. There is a third category; one that I and all of my brothers and sisters in the world (millions of us) who are identifies as “strangers” or “pilgrims”. I define this third category simply as “Creational Truth” or which is preferred or more orthodox “Faith in God” So my intention is to focus on what it means to be one of those people who are walking toward that heavenly country, a future country where our Creator lives. Hebrews 11:13-16.

 

The apostle Peter writing to his Jewish kinsmen, those scattered throughout the known world of his time calls these displaced men and women strangers in the countries they have settled in. Cities and countries in Turkey and Asia Minor and the point I seek to make is this: While I viewed my early life as temporary event, it became a permanent event for the next thirty years of life. Yet, these thirty years were not permanent either since it is nearly thirty years since I stepped ashore, or away from the Navy. Should I live past 2017 marking thirty years from my Navy retirement!

It is my intention to take a look at both epistles of Peter over the next few weeks. We will focus on those of us who outside the mainstream of life. Outside and sometimes looking in on our loved ones, or our nation who are caught up in the world of “religion” or the world of “evolution”, It has become increasingly difficult to talk with these two groups of people and why is that; one might ask? People today do not want to know “Truth” they have become dull of hearing.

 

The apostle Paul in his first epistle to Timothy states that there will be an event in history that God identifies as an extreme hardening of the heart of all peoples; “a great apostasy” or turning away from Creational Truth. I believe these times are on us, almost full force, we will see our children, grandchildren, relatives, neighbors and countrymen departing from “the faith in God. 1 Timothy 4:1-5.

The Devotional - A Look at the Book #911

by Jesse Abel

Thoughts from Papa “J”

 

There is a difference between wisdom and education. Think about it for a moment or longer if you need to. Wisdom comes to you and me through experience, at every crossroad and at the entry of every unknown city or doorpost. On the other hand education is limited to what is learned and is not practical at the crossroad, in the city or on the other side of the door post. Proverbs 8:1-11

 

Good Morning

 

I thoroughly enjoyed travelling through the epistle of Second Corinthians and I hope you did as well, maybe you even took a side trip or two as the LORD led. The blessing of being in the Living Word of God goes beyond my ability to express. Most times I am full of joy while I devote this time and share it with others. For example; one of my favorite chapters in Proverbs is chapter eight. In this chapter one can actually see the Holy Spirit expressing the rich reward of practical wisdom.

 

Proverbs 8:22-36 – Do you observe the humility and the challenge of wisdom in these verses?

 

• Wisdom is submissive to God, saying to you and me that wisdom was a possession of God at the beginning of Creation.
• Wisdom is inferior to the Wisdom of God saying that wisdom was established by God from everlasting (eternity) before time began.
• Wisdom was instructed by God to understand “depth and the power of moving water”
• Wisdom was taught how mountains and hills were erected and settled.
• Wisdom observed the need of dust; in the beginning (Genesis 2:7)
• Wisdom viewed the creation of the heavens; the circle of containment, or we could say a closed system that is functioning today as that very moment in time when God revealed to wisdom His Creative Power. Wisdom states… I WAS THERE
• Wisdom has a voice, explaining and instructing to you and me that God has set limits on all that He Created.
• Wisdom says that all of the seas and waterways have limits and that these do not overstep the boundaries that God has established unless God commands otherwise
• Wisdom also rejoices with a wonderful relationship with God, developing skills of a master craftsman, delighting daily with Him and rejoicing in His inhabited world.

• Wisdom has delight in sharing with you and me the things it has learned from God.

 

Now what do you think? Wisdom being subject to the omniscience of God has learned things about God that many of the inhabitants of Creation are still seeking to understand. Proverbs 8:32 says: “Now therefore, listen to me, children, for blessed are those who keep my ways”.

 

Proverbs 8:33-36 – gives ample encouragement and warning all who choose religion over wisdom. Wisdom is not the Holy Spirit, but when both Wisdom and the Holy Spirit are at peace within your soul you will find that blessing and grace are from the ONE who Created Wisdom on the day that HE Created the heavens and the earth, John 15:26-27 and 2 Timothy 3:16-17.

 

Rejecting wisdom is rejecting The God of the Holy Bible. It is a SIN and a crushing blow to one’s soul by replacing a love for life for a love for death.

The Devotional - A Look at the Book #910

by Jesse Abel

Thoughts from Papa “J”

 

Here is another example of the more modern versions of the Holy Bible and how the point of God the Holy Spirit is missed. Proverbs 7:18 the seductress is not interested in pure unadulterated love, but bent on the seducing loves of immorality. In the KJV the last word in this verse is “loves” not “love” and can be translated “crushing love”. It is the only time this word is used in the Old Testament.

 

Good Morning

 

Speaking of confusing statements… did you notice that yesterday I referenced First Corinthians instead of Second Corinthians? I do apologize; I have blamed old age for all of my hic-ups and glitches so much so that if old age were a carpet; my carpet would be shredded, so being thread barren I will just move on, just watch out for the splinters now where the rug used to be.

 

2 Corinthians 13:1-14 – I have a definition that seems to fit in the remaining verses of 2 Corinthians which are verses 7 through 14.

Have we thought much about evil? Okay then, I will step out and say that evil while it contains sinful practices is not sin in and of itself. If I believe this is true then I must have a definition of evil. To my knowledge in the studies of the past, I cannot remember hearing or reading a defining comment about evil.

 

My definition: Evil is spiritual warfare applied by Satanic forces on the kingdom of heaven. The citizens of this kingdom include God, His Son and all of us whose names are written in the LAMB’s Book of Life. Earlier in this epistle the apostle states clearly that Satan and his angels can disguise their evils as the Light of God the Holy Spirit, 2 Corinthians 11:13-14 and both epistles are written to expose evil and refute sin within the Corinthian church family.

 

So how does this affect church leadership? If you look at the statistical reviews of those ministers who have left the ministry over the past twenty or thirty years you would see that thousands of men have stepped away from the pulpit and moved into secular careers, some have even departed from “The Faith” Men have become tired of being neutralized while attempting to be men of truth, only to find out that their authority is compromised by evil, either by influence within the church or within themselves.

 

We need to pray for the leadership in our churches today. The church of Jesus Christ today is no different than the church at Corinth in the apostle’s day. The church today is full of evil causing the saints to sin. 1 Corinthians 6:9-10 is where all of saints were, verse 11 is where we are, or should be. What do we see in churches across America today? Truly I do not know what you see, but I see 1 Corinthians 6:1-8.

 

Paul’s Benediction: Finally, brethren, farewell, BECOME COMPLETE. Be of good comfort; be of one mind, live in peace and the God of love and peace will be with you. How bad are the churches today? When is the last time you witnessed a HOLY KISS, I never have!

 

The grace of the LORD Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all, AMEN.

The Devotional - A Look at the Book #909

by Jesse Abel

 

Thoughts from Papa “J”

 

The thoughts of a man or woman are like a deep well, we might see to the depth of two or three feet, but after that – darkness. Perversity on the other hand will always expose the intentions of the heart with the wink of the eye; a word from the mouth, a signal of the foot, the pointing finger and a disruptive style. You need not look any further, depart from such a one as this. Proverbs 6:12-15.

 

Good Morning

 

1 Corinthians 13:1-14 – Here again I am not sure if we can cover the entire chapter this morning, I may not even try since the first six verses have exhortations that our inner being needs to apprehend. One thought on application, or appropriating Truth. Soon after being saved in 1975 the pastor taught on the practical application of the Word of God. His bottom line to this subject was; what good is application if it not practical from the pulpit and not practiced in the heart (soul)?

 

“This is now the third time I am coning to you”, says the apostle Paul. Do you think he may be a bit dismayed that there are those in the church who still struggle with sins of doubt within the church? He says that he has spoken face to face and even by letter; that sin within the church for those who commit it and for those who are surrounded by it are now in the cross hairs of God’s arsenal of judgment.

 

Verse three can be confusing, but this is what I sense that the apostle is saying. Why do you continue to seek proof that Christ is speaking through me? Christ Jesus is not weak in you as I might like to think, but He is mighty in you. You Corinthians just choose to ignore Him and so you ignore me as well and there is a reason for this ignorance!

 

Verse four is a bit clearer, He was crucified in weakness and we could spend good moments reliving His Crucifixion, beholding the LAMB of God who has taken away the sin of the world. That LAMB represents weakness, but in His death; He reveals to the world the Power of the Living God who died and ROSE again; and who is presently seated with His Father at His Right Hand. Every time I consider this Victory over Satan, the joy of God is overwhelming in me. This event is the Faith work of God, not man.

 

Here again in verse five we are reminded of a faith that is a separated faith from the work of human faith; such as we looked at yesterday. Are you “IN THE FAITH” take a moment here and examine yourself in this critical matter. The apostle writes clearly through the Power of the Holy Spirit that some folks in church have faith in the “isms” and traditions of man; some do not know the Authority of Jesus Christ as Head over His church and rely only on the authority from the man behind the pulpit.

 

Some do not have Jesus Christ dwelling in them, thus the Holy Spirit cannot overcome the doubt that resides in their heart; a doubt that reveals the thoughts and intentions of the heart. Hebrews 4:11-13 both inwardly and outwardly that the faith practiced or exercised by these poor individuals is disqualified. Not by the apostle, or even Jesus Christ since this kind of faith was judged and disqualified nearly two thousand years ago, when the LAMB died for the sin of the world – misappropriated faith in God. Matthew 25:14-30

 

1 Corinthians 13:6 – But I trust that you will know that we are not disqualified.

The Devotional - A Look at the Book #908

by Jesse Abel

Thoughts from Papa “J”

 

Married men young and old; remember those early and all of the blessing that God bestowed on the two of you. None of those blessings have gone away. Rejoice in your bride, her youthful joys are very much in tune with yours, even intoxicating when both of you place your ways before the LORD. If you feel differently about this statement, it is because you have purposed to do so in your heart. Proverbs 5:15-20; now look at Proverbs 5:12-14 and 5:21-23.

 

Good Morning

 

You know that I often say that I love the Word of the Living God, and I do. In this relationship with God I understand that I am loving God since this calls to my mind the phrase in the gospel of John that says, “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory” John 1:14a. Each time I pick up the Word of God and read, I am beholding the glory of God in Jesus Christ. This is not mystical; it is for me; spiritually real. Note 1 John 1:1.

 

Yesterday I used Galatians 2:16 and after rereading what was already sent I thought that I may have caused some misunderstanding about my rendering of the verse so I want to clarify what I said. Maybe this will be all that we have time for today, but “Hey” who is in a hurry, I am not.

 

In the mid-nineties while studying Galatians, there was also a lot of controversy over which translation of the Holy Bible was considered to be more accurate. In the heat of this the KJV was pushed aside. I think mainly this was due to a higher level of reading competence that is required by the King James Version. It is an eleventh grade reader, now I have given up on keeping track of the various versions of scripture out there today, but this I know; the last version I checked, the NIV or the New International Version is a 7th grade reader.

 

Now I am not intending to knock anyone around with these words about Biblical translations. The main purpose of the Living Word of God is to bring people to the Living God of the Bible who is the LORD Jesus Christ and most all of the current translations do that. I have a very close friend who is saved from reading Truth from the NIV. Yet there is one who has taken a few knocks from me and here he will take another.

 

Peter Ruckman who is mean spirited about this issue has done a lot to discredit the KJV of the Bible by being a staunch opponent against all other versions. I am not in his camp and once did a paper or two refuting his beliefs, yet there are folks who still follow his critical views, these folks are known as Ruckmanites.

 

So what is the point or the RUB as I like to say? Interpretation is an ongoing need in the study of the Living Word of God. In fact; if you have ever said to someone, just in human terms, “I did not understand you, can you repeat it and explain so I understand” then it is even more critical when it comes to understanding spiritual truth. Well I said all of that to bring us to the scripture that got me into this quandary in the first place. Not sure that quandary is the right word? I am not in a state of confusion, but if you are then I am in a dilemma.

 

Galatians 2:16 – Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the work of the law; for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified. KJV

 

Galatians 2:16 – Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law but by faith in Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, that we might be justified but by faith in Christ and not by the works of the law; for by the works of the law no flesh shall be justified. NKJV and all other current versions.

 

Now you could be saying so what is the difference, or I do not understand? Okay! The word “IN” in the KJV is changed to “OF” in all other versions and some can be saying BIG DEAL this is only a Greek idiom and the words are interchangeable. That is correct but the definite article “THE” is removed from the text because it is not needed or required in the later versions. This places emphasis on the very “WORKS” that the apostle Paul is seeking to discredit.

 

The “faith” that you and I share “IN CHRIST” is the firstfruits of FAITH which are in Christ alone; Ephesians 2:8; 2 Timothy 1:9-10 and Hebrews 12:1-2. In other words; “if I am seeking to muster up faith in God apart from the faith/work of Jesus Christ, then my faith is of the works of the law and by the works of the law the Author of Faith is ignored, even replaced. Matthew 25:1-46

The Devotional - A Look at the Book #907

by Jesse Abel

Thoughts from Papa “J”

 

If it were not for the human eye, wisdom may have a chance in the world around us: so Solomon says. Notice how Adam and Eve verify Solomon’s instruction. Proverbs 4:1-27: Genesis 2:15-17 and Genesis 3:6-7. Most of evil enters through the eyes, and then we make the choice under the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.

 

Good Morning

 

2 Corinthians 12:7-10 – The apostle Paul does not identify what he calls a “thorn in the flesh” but we do know from this passage a couple of things that identify where the thorn came from. You know we really need to be careful with our thinking. Should we agree as some have said that the apostle suffered this hindering thorn from God? The scripture does not say this is true, but I have heard messages that say so!

 

In this I believe that those who say such things have forgotten the context of this epistle which for the most part is spiritual warfare from Satan directed at God and His children. This leads many to believe that Satan is not real and I know that some of you out there believe this. Yet the scripture (the word of the Living God) reveals that Satan does exist; so this supersedes what we may choose to believe. Let God be true and if you do then all the rest are liars. Romans 3:4.

 

Back to the text: You may be thinking that the text of 2 Corinthians 12:7-10 indicates that the thorn was provided by Satan, but that God agreed, therefore the overall authority and responsibility is of God. Then I say that we so quickly forget the book of Job. Satan’s intent in this Book is to destroy Job, while God’s intent was to bless Job (SPIRITUAL WARFARE). Another warfare event in history is Satan’s conversation with Eve and the outcome of that conversation we viewed earlier.

 

Then there is another passage in Romans; one that we often abuse or take out of context; Romans 8:16-30 that somewhat parallels our passage here in 2 Corinthians 12. It is the Spirit of God who knows our weaknesses in this spiritual war. It is He who makes intercession for us when we cry out for help and it is He who intercedes for us saints to align us to the will of God. In this we know that God is working all things (good and evil) or (spiritual warfare) for those who love Him according to His purpose and not Satan’s purpose.

 

Notice that the apostle Paul understands that the buffeting of Satan is not a design of God, but a useful tool to develop the sufficiency of God’s grace. I do not believe that there is a physical condition that Paul is asking for God to cure. There is not one of us who does not have some physical ailment that God has not heard about from us; physical ailments do not normally hinder our walk with the LORD. Some are healed and some are not, but we continue to serve HIM.

 

However and whenever we obtain spiritual understanding regarding our spiritual infirmities we learn quickly that God’s grace is sufficient for us. It is those spiritual weaknesses of the flesh that exercise faith in and of God producing strength in our walk in spiritual sanctification. What is that strength of God toward us? “Faith” a faith that is not ours to begin with, Galatians 2:16 (KJV), forget the Greek idioms, it is the faith “of” Christ and not our faith “in” Christ; also see Ephesians 2:8. Our faith in Christ is weak, but made strong by the faith of Christ upon us.

 

I like what the apostle has to say about the “power of Christ” resting upon him 2 Corinthians 2:9. Herein is the rub of this passage. I know of no greater joy than having the Power of my Savior resting upon my weakest moments in time. Yes these moments have been physical, relational and spiritual, but this I know that when Christ the LORD expressed from the cross, “IT IS FINISH” He covered all my sin, suffering and weaknesses and “Oh my, what a joy fills my soul” 1 Corinthians 12:10.

 

The word “power” in verse 9 is the Greek word “dunamis” which is translated “work” in Mark 6:5 and “workers” in 1 Corinthians 12:29.